CDC is considering this while airlines have a differing view.
98 thoughts on “Mandatory Testing of All Hawaii Travelers? Feds & Airlines Weigh In”
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Home » Blog » Hawaii Travel Tips » Mandatory Testing of All Hawaii Travelers? Feds & Airlines Weigh In
Thank you for this article. Unfortunately it only makes the whole travel thing more confusing. Even if you tested negative it is no guarantee that you are covid free. The accuracy of the results are not close to being 100%. Also, you could be sitting next to someone who tested negative a day or two ago, but within the 72 period, has come into contact with someone who has covid. All this testing will just destroy the travel and airline industry even more. I don’t know the answer but I don’t believe forcing people to test, especially at their expense is the solution.
Hi Richard.
Thanks. Good points.
Aloha.
Richard
My exact thoughts. A COVID test is just a snapshot of that time only. In 72 hrs a person could definitely come in contact with a person that is positive OR they could become positive several days later after testing. I don’t have any answers but there has to be something done to save the travel business & airlines
The key to this is added capacity for short term test results. We did the safe travel program to come to Hawaii and found a Walgreens with a drive through but we were lucky. I have read on several Beat of Hawaii posts that it is often a nightmare to find a testing site that will give you the results in time. We need to get the testing up then apply it or with our current capacity air travel may come to a screeching halt. If you can’t find a testing site for Hawaii travel, how are you going to find one if it applies to every traveler?
I like this idea. If nothing else, it evens the playing field, and having everyone that desires to use airline travel, tested, at least gives others the peace of mind that they’re not surrounded by people who may have tested positive and still chose to travel.
I honestly believe that a Federal Government testing program/mandate will be an incentive to get on a plane. The process could be streamlined and utilize the National Guard, and the Red Cross. Two entities that work together on a continual basis. Safety is of the utmost importance, and with a side of comfort in knowing that you’re on a plane with every single person tested would definitely be a boon to the travel industry.
If this type of plan we’re in place, I can guarantee that my entire family would be buying tickets to Timbuktu and beyond in a heartbeat!
Mahalo guys. Again, you’re right out front with breaking news. Stay safe and blessed. Aloha 🌺
Hi Pam.
Thanks. It is interesting to see the comments so far. Many good ideas. We both think it would give us some additional comfort in traveling. We know of someone who flew back to Kauai, did not test, and did have COVID. Not a good situation.
Aloha.
It would Not even the playing field for Hawaii. What about those traveling from the east coast that would need 2 covid tests prior to traveling due to layovers? Once arriving in Hawaii they then have to stress about the tests for the return flights. Added expense and stress will deter travel to Hawaii and anywhere else. It will kill the travel industry.
While this would be a logistical nightmare, perhaps it should be tired to vaccination. Proof of full vaccination (say two weeks prior to departure so that it has reached effective levels) could be an alternative. Cumbersome, yes, but a Federal mandate would clear up the issues between states. It might also help if the requirement was for departure from home, assuming no stops other than plane changes so that someone departing Bangor for Kona would have to be negative in Bangor. Certainty, across state borders, would really help.
My husband and I received Covid shot #1 two weeks ago. Next week we receive shot #2. Vaccinated! Shouldn’t we be cleared to travel without further testing???
Vaccinated doesn’t mean you can’t be a carrier.
Please be aware that even vaccinated people can still contract and spread Covid.
If we had our COVID Vaccination and proof that should be enough to get on a flight to Hawaii!
You do realize this is all for something has a 99.8% recovery rate. Once the point of the vaccine again? This is all such a joke. Destroying Hawaii’s economy. Did you do this for swine flu? Absolutely ridiculous.
Agreed, especially since vaccinated people can still contract and spread Covid.
It seems to be that the easier requirement for air travel is vaccination once vaccines are widely available, which may be a few months away or even less if the Johnson & Johnson vaccine receives approval at the end of February. Rolling out a testing program for all air travels when in a few months nearly everyone will have the option of vaccination seems like wasted effort to me.
Hate to say it but we saw this coming about testing everyone on any kind of domestic flight going anywhere in the US. Big questions are how much will the testing add to the cost of your trip? Will you have to bear the extra cost of a rapid test just to make sure you have the results back in time for you flight? Not to mention the insuing anxiety waiting for the results. Even people who are vaccinated would still test as there is the possibility they can infect others without themselves getting sick. Since I’m assuming all these test results would have to go in an airlines system in order to show they checked all passengers how does that not violate HIPAA laws? I appreciate being able to express myself on this.
Hi Kym.
Thanks for your comment. It is definitely an interesting discussion. Hard to know how it will turn out.
Aloha.
I would be fine with pre flight testing for the next 8 months. By then most people who opt for the vaccine will have had it long enough to gain maximum immunity. After that the requirement should shift to only those who have not been vaccinated. The cost should be born at that point by the unvaccinated.
But, the fast tests are maybe 50 percent accurate so I wait for the vaccine before flying.